West Bromwich Albion FC vs Sheffield United FC, Premier League 2020-2021, Today Match Prediction

West Bromwich Albion FC vs Sheffield United FC Match Prediction & Analysis

The match between bottom and second-bottom is never the most glamourous of ties, especially for the neutral fan. 

For West Brom and Sheffield United, however, it represents life and death as far as their existence in the Premier League goes, with both sides searching for their first wins of the season.

They have been poor in several aspects, but particularly in scoring goals – The Baggies have managed just six in their nine matches, while The Blades have fared even worse with just four. They’ve collected just 4 points between them from a combined 54 available.

Regardless of how this match ends, both of these teams are likely to struggle for the remainder of the season unless something drastically improves between now and May. 

West Brom are probably the slight favourites, firstly as the home team, but also considering their relatively solid performance against Manchester United last weekend.

Both teams would have ear-marked this game as vital, so we should expect performance levels to rise to the occasion.

TEAMS PREVIEW

West Bromwich Albion FC Preview

Form Guide (all comps): DDLLL

Reasons to be cheerful:

     Have looked better in front of goal than their opponents

     Their defeats have come against bigger teams

Reasons to be fearful:

     Failed to score in all the last three defeats

     Gibbs and Livermore remain doubts after Covid-19 test

West Brom were unlucky in some respects to have taken nothing from their match against Manchester United last weekend.

They arguably should have had a penalty, which was overturned by VAR, before seeing United’s penalty retaken after goalkeeper Sam Johnstone stepped off his line too soon.

Despite this, West Brom just haven’t been able to secure the points they’ve needed to lift them out of the bottom three and time could be running out for manager Slaven Bilic to turn things around.

They have, however, appeared slightly more likely than their opponents to put the ball in the back of the net, and having Robson-Kanu back from injury will help matters.

This is a huge match for The Baggies, and perhaps the incentive of moving out of the bottom three with a win will prove vital

Star Man – Callum Robinson

Almost changed the game when he came on as a sub against Manchester United – must start here.

Sheffield United FC Preview

Form Guide (all comps): DLLLL

Reasons to be cheerful

     Three of their last four defeats against Liverpool, City & Chelsea

     Lys Mousset could return after two months of injury

Reasons to be fearful 

     Have looked blunt in front of goal

     Chris Wilder’s role as manager is under threat

Sheffield United at least have a season of Premier League experience under their belt, where last season they performed ahead of expectations.

That has not helped them so far this season, but against the newly promoted West Brom, it could help to give them the edge. 

Their only point so far this campaign came against Fulham, also recently promoted from the Championship, but they must view this fixture as a crucial route to kickstarting their revival.

Summer signing Rhian Brewster has worked his way back to fitness, but seeing as he has not really impressed in front of goal so far, McBurnie and McGoldrick are most likely to lead the line here. 

Lys Mousset has worked his way back from injury and could play some part here. His six goals last season would make the world of difference to The Blades right now.

Star Man – David McGoldrick

His three goals this season are two more than anyone else for the club